I liga

I liga
Organising bodyPZPN
Founded30 May 1948 (30 May 1948)
1949–2008 (as II liga)
2008– (as I liga)
CountryPoland
ConfederationUEFA
Number of clubs18
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toEkstraklasa
Relegation toII liga
Domestic cup(s)Polish Cup
Current championsLechia Gdańsk (4th title)
(2023–24)
Most championshipsGwardia Warsaw (6 titles)
Broadcaster(s)TVP Sport
Sponsor(s)Betclic
Website1liga.org
Current: 2024–25 I liga

I liga (Polish: Pierwsza liga, Polish pronunciation: [ˈpjɛrfʂa ˈliɡa]), currently named Betclic I liga due to its sponsorship by Betclic, is the men's second professional association football division of the Polish football league system, below the Ekstraklasa and above the II liga via promotion/relegation systems. It is run by the Polish Football Association (PZPN) since its inception on 30 May 1948. The league was renamed from Second League (II liga) to First League (I liga) in 2008. It is currently contested by 18 teams; from 2002, all clubs onwards must have a licence, issued by the Association.

Before 1939, there were several plans to create a second, national level of Polish football system, but all failed. Instead, there were regional leagues of most Polish provinces, the so-called A Classes (see also Lower Level Football Leagues in Interwar Poland).